Beverage extraction assembly for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained in a cartridge

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained therein by means of water under pressure, the cartridge comprising: a main body comprising a cup portion and a lid portion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and a rim opposed to the base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to the rim of the cup portion so as to define an internal volume of the cartridge, the internal volume of the cartridge housing the particulate substance comprised within filtering means for retaining the particulate substance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough, the lid portion comprising a lid port defining a first passage for percolation fluid substances, the base of the cup portion comprising a cup port defining a second passage for percolation fluid substances, wherein the base comprises a plurality of ridges directly formed thereon and protruding towards the internal volume of the cartridge, so as to support the filtering means and the particulate substance and to define a fine canalization between the filtering means and the cup port.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an integrated cartridge for extractinga beverage from a particulate substance, such as ground coffee, instantcoffee, tea, powdered chocolate or milk, and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known that machines for extracting a beverage from a particulatesubstance usually require that the particulate substance is placed intoa filtering receptacle installed in the machine. In particular,automatic/semiautomatic espresso coffee machines comprise a filteringreceptacle, also called filter holder, in which a dose of ground coffeeis placed before the extraction of coffee beverage takes place.

The general steps for extracting a coffee beverage in an espresso coffeemachine, which are substantially equivalent to those of other automaticmachines for preparing a beverage starting from a powdered substance,comprise a phase of delivering hot water under suitable pressure into anextraction chamber which includes the filtering receptacle, a brewingphase and a phase of conveying the brewed beverage into an external cupor glass, ready to drink.

Ground coffee, as well as other particulate substances for preparingbrewed beverages, is usually a single use substance, in that theorganoleptic qualities such as taste, aroma and body of the brewedbeverage are irremediably lost once ground coffee has been soaked.Accordingly, in espresso coffee machines and in other brewing machinesthe particulate substance has to be removed after one single brewing.This is the reason why the filtering receptacle housing a dose of groundcoffee is usually manually removable from the espresso coffee machine,in order to allow emptying of the receptacle from the used ground coffeeand filling it with a new dose of ground coffee.

In order to facilitate the operations of filling and emptying thefiltering receptacle, single serving pre-packaged tablets of groundcoffee have been provided, consisting of a dose of ground coffeecontained in a filtering paper bag or sachet, to be placed directly in afilter holder of the espresso coffee machine. While this arrangement hasresulted handy, it is affected by some drawbacks. In particular, thetablet is not air-tight and accordingly a second air-tight packagingmust be provided for enclosing each dose, in order to keep the tabletuncontaminated from the external environment during storage.

Moreover, the user's hands come into contact with the tablet when thetablet is placed on the filter holder so that hygiene requirements arenot fully assured.

In the past years, disposable capsules containing ground coffee havebeen also provided. Such capsules, generally having a frustum shape, aremade of plastics or aluminum and provide a better air-tight barrier tothe external environment than the filtering paper used in tablets.

A known capsule has a top surface that is pierceable by an injectionneedle/nozzle of the espresso coffee machine, in order to inject waterunder pressure inside the capsule, and a bottom surface comprisingweakened zones which tear under pressure of percolation fluids. Aninternal filter is also provided inside the capsule for preventing solidsubstances from being ejected from the capsule together with the coffeebeverage.

Another known capsule comprises a cylindrical body made ofpolypropylene, with a top and a bottom surface having a plurality ofopenings for distributing hot water throughout the dose of groundcoffee, and comprising a sheet of paper filter for blocking passage ofground coffee outside the openings of the bottom surface during theextraction phase. These capsules have usually to be placed into afurther packaging, such as a multilayered plastic sachet.

In order to prepare a coffee beverage, the known capsules and cartridgesare placed into the filter holder, that constitutes an extractionchamber for coffee when it is installed on the coffee machine. Duringthe extraction phase, the percolation fluids may come into contact withinternal surfaces of the extraction chamber before definitively flowingout into the external coffee cup. Such contact contaminates theextraction chamber as well as the filter holder and after a number ofcoffee extraction operations the quality of the beverage is greatlyreduced, suffering from residuals and contaminants in the extractionchamber.

Accordingly, the extraction assembly, comprising the extraction chamberand the filter holder, has to be accurately cleaned after a certainnumber of coffee extraction operations; in addition, decalcificationmust be performed on a regular basis.

Even when such cleaning operations are regularly carried out, the fluidturbulence inside the extraction chamber of the machine or theinsufficient fluid-tight seal at the opened top surface of the capsuleduring water injection causes either the extracted beverage or theinjected water to lap portions of the external surface of the capsuleitself, thus jeopardizing the extraction hygiene requirements.

Another drawback of known capsules is that they do not retainpercolation fluid residuals inside the capsule, in that perforations oropenings on the top surface and/or on the bottom surface of the capsulesprovide for an escape for fluid residuals when the extraction isterminated and/or when the capsule is removed from the machine, causingthe capsule to drip and dirt the surroundings of the coffee machine.

In addition, the known capsules and espresso coffee machines do notsuffer from a limited hygienic character only, but they are oftenaffected by a not so efficient distribution of hot water into the groundcoffee and/or delivery of the coffee beverage.

In fact, in known capsules having a frustum shape, the hot water isinjected into the internal volume by means of a nozzle that pierces thetop surface, which has a smaller diameter than the bottom surface, sothat hot water is sprayed from a single point rather than being evenlyshowered onto the whole dose of coffee. Accordingly, the hot waterwashes the coffee particles in an inhomogeneous way.

This drawback has been partially solved by the cartridge disclosed inEP-A-1344722, wherein two discs are provided inside the cartridge havinga plurality of openings and a plurality of embossings, in order tocreate a plurality of fluid channels. Unfortunately, such knowncartridge has to be pierced on both the upper and the lower surface inorder to extract the beverage, and the internal volume of the cartridgehas to be burdened with additional elements such as distribution discs.

Yet another drawback of prior art cartridges is that they are not veryhandy, in that a user must control the insertion direction when heinstalls the cartridge into an extraction machine. This control may befacilitated by means of a particular shape of the cartridge's receptaclein the machine, but when the user is particularly hurried (for instance,when the user is a barman assigned to continuously and quickly preparecoffee beverages for many customers) even a control of a minor nature isunacceptable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Aim of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of prior artcartridges and capsules by providing an integrated cartridge by means ofwhich most of the tasks that are conventionally performed by beverageextraction machines are performed by the cartridge itself.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is toprovide a cartridge and an extraction assembly for producing a highquality beverage having improved organoleptic qualities, particularlywhen the beverage extraction machine is an espresso coffee machine.

A second particular object of the present invention is to provide acartridge and an extraction system that greatly reduce or eliminatecontamination of any component of machines for producing a beverage froma particulate substance.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a universalbeverage extraction system, which takes advantage of itscontamination-free structure for allowing consecutive extractions ofbeverages from different kinds of particulate substances.

Another particular object of the present invention is to guarantee ahigh level of preservation of the particulate substance inside thecartridge until the cartridge is installed into the beverage extractionmachine, reducing contamination of the particulate deriving from theexternal environment.

Another object is to simplify use of the cartridge, reducing the numberof operations to be carried out for preparing the cartridge toinstallation into a beverage extraction machine.

A further object is to provide an improved even distribution of theinjection fluid throughout the entire dose of particulate substance ofthe cartridge.

Yet another object is to simplify and reduce the internal load of thecartridge and the beverage extraction machine without affecting thequality of the final beverage.

Not least object of the invention is to provide a cartridge and anextraction assembly which speed up the beverage preparation operations.

This aim, these objects and other which will become apparent hereinafterare achieved by a cartridge for extracting a beverage from a particulatesubstance contained therein by means of water under pressure, thecartridge comprising: a main body comprising a cup portion and a lidportion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and a rim opposedto the base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to the rim of thecup portion so as to define an internal volume of the cartridge, theinternal volume of the cartridge housing the particulate substancecomprised within filtering means for retaining the particulate substanceand for percolating fluid substances therethrough, the lid portioncomprising a lid port defining a first passage for percolation fluidsubstances, the base of the cup portion comprising a cup port defining asecond passage for percolation fluid substances, characterized in thatthe base comprises a plurality of ridges directly formed thereon andprotruding towards the internal volume of the cartridge, so as tosupport the filtering means and the particulate substance and to definea fine canalization between the filtering means and the cup port.

The aim and the objects of the invention are also reached by a cartridgefor extracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained thereinby means of water under pressure, the cartridge comprising: a main bodycomprising a cup portion and a lid portion, the cup portion comprising abase, a sidewall and a rim opposed to the base, the lid portion beingfixedly attached to the rim of the cup portion so as to define aninternal volume of the cartridge, the internal volume of the cartridgehousing the particulate substance comprised within filtering means forretaining the particulate substance and for percolating fluid substancestherethrough, the lid portion comprising a lid port defining a firstpassage for percolation fluid substances, the base of the cup portioncomprising a cup port defining a second passage for percolation fluidsubstances, characterized in that it comprises a disc of porous materialarranged between the filtering means and the base of the cup portion, soas to support the filtering means and the particulate substance and todefine a fine canalization between the filtering means and the cup port.

The same aim and objects are also reached by a cartridge, particularlyfor espresso coffee machines, for extracting a beverage from aparticulate substance contained therein by means of water underpressure, the cartridge comprising a main body comprising a cup portionand a lid portion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and arim opposed to the base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to therim of the cup portion so as to define an internal volume of thecartridge, the internal volume of the cartridge housing the particulatesubstance comprised within filtering means for retaining the particulatesubstance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough, the lidportion comprising a lid port defining a first passage for percolationfluid substances, the base of the cup portion comprising a cup portdefining a second passage for percolation fluid substances,characterized in that the internal volume comprises valve means mountedon the cup port which are resiliently openable under pressure of thepercolation fluid substances during a beverage extraction phase, so asto allow passage of the percolation fluid substances through the cupport during the beverage extraction phase.

Again, the objects of the invention are also achieved by a cartridgecomprising a main body comprising a cup portion and a lid portion, thecup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and a rim opposed to the base,the lid portion being fixedly attached to the rim of the cup portion soas to define an internal volume of the cartridge, the internal volume ofthe cartridge housing the particulate substance comprised withinfiltering means for retaining the particulate substance and forpercolating fluid substances therethrough, the lid portion comprising anormally closed lid port defining a first passage for percolation fluidsubstances when it is opened, characterized in that it comprises atappet arranged inside the internal volume so as to pierce the base whena pressure is applied to the base towards the internal volume, thusopening a normally closed cup port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomebetter apparent from the following description of preferred but notexclusive embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limitative embodimentsin the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, cross-sectional, exploded view of the cartridgeof FIG. 1, taken along plane A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the cup portion of the cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cup portion of FIG. 3, takenalong plane B-B;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cartridge according toa second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cartridge according toa second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cartridge according toa third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective broken away view of the shim of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a fourthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective cross-sectional exploded view of the cartridgeof FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a cartridge accordingto a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the inner side of the lid portion ofthe cartridge of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cartridge according to a seventhembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the cartridge of FIG.12, taken along a radial plane;

FIG. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view, taken along a radialplane, of the cartridge according to the seventh embodiment of theinvention in a pierced state;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the tappet assembly housed in thecartridge of FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an extraction assembly according to asecond aspect of the invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the extraction assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective broken away view of the extraction assembly ofFIG. 16 arranged in the beverage extraction position, having a cartridgeinstalled therein;

FIG. 19 is a perspective broken away view of an extraction assemblyarranged in the beverage extraction position, having a discoidalcartridge installed therein;

FIG. 20 is a perspective broken away view of the extraction assembly ofFIG. 16 arranged in the cartridge expulsion position;

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the nozzle used in the extraction assemblyof FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional lateral view of the nozzle used inthe extraction assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional lateral view of the nozzle used in theextraction assembly of FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is a broken away view of an extraction assembly according to afurther embodiment of the invention, in which the capsule of FIG. 12 isinstalled;

FIG. 25 is a broken away view of the extraction assembly of FIG. 24 whenit is arranged in the beverage extraction position;

FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the injection nozzle used inthe extraction assembly of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a perspective cross-sectional view, taken along a radialplane, of the cartridge according to a further embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 28 is a broken away view of an extraction assembly according to afurther embodiment of the invention, in which the cartridge of FIG. 27is installed.

WAYS TO CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cartridge 1 is shown according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge has agenerally cylindrical shape and comprises a cup portion 2 and a lidportion 3 fixed thereon.

In particular, the cup portion 2 comprises a substantially circular base7, a cylindrical sidewall 8 extending from base 7 and a rim 9 a, whichis disposed substantially opposite to the base 7 and defines an open endof the cup portion 2.

An internal volume is defined by the cup base 7, the sidewall 8 and thelid portion 3, when the lid portion is fixed on the cup portion. A doseof ground coffee 4 is housed in such internal volume and it issandwiched between filtering means, preferably consisting of a firstpaper or tissue filter 5 b and a second paper or tissue filter 5 a. Inan alternative embodiment, a tablet of a known kind can be provided, asit will be described hereafter.

The cup portion 2 comprises a cup port 6 a, which is preferably locatedin a central region of the cup base 7 and protrudes outwardly withrespect to the internal volume of the cartridge, forming a spout. Asshown in FIG. 2, the cup port 6 a has a substantially cylindrical shapeand provides for open access to the internal volume of the cartridge,thus allowing passage of fluids to or from the internal volume of thecartridge. To this aim, the opening 103 a is provided on the cup base 7in correspondence of the cup port 6 a, as it is shown in FIG. 4.

The cup base 7 optionally comprises a flange 105 a, axially aligned withsidewall 8 and protruding outwardly with respect to the internal volumeof the cartridge. Such flange is preferably provided in order to end upwith a protruding shape facilitating and promoting handling andautomated production processes. Furthermore the capsule can be placed ina horizontal position on a table surface without tilting or rolling, itcan be packaged and stacked more easily and it can also be “strip”packaged, i.e. fixed and sealed between two strips of polylaminatefilms.

The lid portion 3 is shaped so as to fit with the open end of the cupportion 2 and comprises a lid base 7 b, from which a substantiallycylindrical sidewall 105 b extends upwardly and slightly outwardly andwhich is substantially perpendicular to the lid base 7 b. The sidewall105 b ends with an annular edge 9 b that is located substantiallyopposite to the lid base 7 b and that protrudes outwardly from thesidewall 105 b, in order to fit with and lean on the rim 9 a of the cupportion 2. Preferably, the annular edge 9 b has a substantially steppedcross section, so as to engage with a complementary support located atthe rim 9 a of the cup portion 2, as depicted in FIG. 3. Othercross-sectional shapes of the annular edge 9 b and of the rim 9 a can bealternatively provided, as long as these shapes allow to fix the lidportion on the cup portion.

In preferred embodiments, the lid portion and the cup portion are weldedto each other using an ultrasonic shear-welding technique.Alternatively, other known welding techniques can be used, for instancecommon ultrasonic welding, hot welding, bonding and so on. The cartridgeaccording to the invention may also be manufactured as a single mouldedpiece.

The protruding sidewall 105 b is preferably provided in order tofacilitate and promote handling and automated production processes, aswell as to dissociate the shear welding region away from the coffeetablet, thus minimizing interferences of migrating coffee particles withthe plastic weld, which might compromise its tight sealingcharacteristics.

In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid portion 3comprises a lid port 6 b in a central region of its base 7 b, having agenerally cylindrical shape and protruding from base 7 b outwardly withrespect to the internal volume of the cartridge. The lid port 6 bprovides for open access to the internal volume of the cartridge, thusallowing passage of fluids to or from the internal volume. To this aim,the opening 103 b is provided on the lid base 7 b in correspondence ofthe lid port 6 b, as shown in FIG. 2.

It is seen that flanges 105 a and 105 b, together with the correspondingcup port and lid port, are such that the top and the bottom regions ofthe cartridge substantially have an overall E-shaped cross-section.

In alternative embodiments, described hereafter, the lid port does notprotrude from the lid base 7 b or is normally closed, being pierceableby an injection needle or nozzle during the extraction phase.Alternative embodiments of a similar kind will be presented hereafter.

In the cartridges according to the invention, either the lid port 6 b orthe cup port 6 a may comprise hurdles for deviating a fluid flow. Inparticular, referring back to the embodiment of FIGS. 2-4, a firstbarrier 104 a is provided on the internal side of the cup base 7 so thatit radially crosses the central opening 103 a from which the spout 6 aprotrudes, and second barriers 106 a, 107 a are provided on the internalsurface of the cup port 6 a at a distance from the first barrier andfrom the opening 103 a.

Preferably, second barriers 106 a and 107 a face each other and protrudefrom the internal surface of the cup port 6 a so as to define a sort ofzigzag path for the fluid passing through the cup port 6 a, thusbreaking any direct fluid flow to or from the internal volume of thecartridge and avoiding exceedingly accelerated fluid flow, which maycause jet-spray effects such as spattering.

The first barrier 104 a is particularly useful for either deviating thefluid flow or providing a support against filter paper deformation thatmay result from the hydraulic extraction fluid pressure. Accordingly,obstruction of the openings 103 a and possible breaking of the filterpaper are prevented.

Additionally or alternatively, corresponding fluid flow barriers 104 band 107 b are also provided at lid port 6 b, as seen in FIG. 2. Inparticular, the barrier 104 b spans the lid opening 103 b, while thebarrier 107 b protrudes from the internal surface of the lid port 6 b,facing an identical barrier in order to define a fluid flow pathwaysubstantially analogous to that formed inside the cup port 6 a.

Notwithstanding preferred embodiments of the cartridge according to theinvention comprise fluid flow hurdles as depicted in FIGS. 2-4, theskilled in the art easily appreciates that alternative arrangements orshapes of fluid flow hurdles can be used for the same purpose. Forinstance, a cross-shaped fluid flow barrier may be provided, so as tosupport the paper filter and break direct fluid flow into four separateflows. Alternatively, radial projections formed around the lid or thecup opening and radially protruding towards the center of such openingmay be provided, as it will be described hereinafter with reference toFIG. 27.

Fluid flow hurdles may not be directly formed on the internal surface ofthe cartridge, but they may be a separate means which can be insertedand fixedly attached to an inlet or an outlet port of the cartridge. Forinstance, a small plastic tube with both open ends closed by a fluidpermeable filter material (for instance, films of thermoplastic sievematerial or open mazed tissue or paper). An example of a separate fluidflow hurdle will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 27.

Moreover, the fluid flow hurdles may be provided at both the lid and cupports, at only one of such ports, or may not be provided at all,according to fluid flow requirements.

The cup portion 6 a further comprises a plurality of ridges 101 adirectly formed on the base 7 and protruding towards the internal volumeof the cartridge, in particular towards the external surface of thepaper filter 5 a. As it is seen from FIG. 3, the ridges 101 a arearc-shaped and elongated. They directly contact paper filter 5 a so asto form a plurality of small channels 102 a-102 b, which are directedalong a plurality of concentric and radial directions (as shown in FIG.3) and put in a fluid communication the whole bottom surface of thefilter-coffee assembly 4, 5 a with the cup port 6 a. Such channels,preferably, have an average width/height of about 1 mm.

Similarly, ridges 101 b are provided on the lid portion 3 which protrudetowards the internal volume of the cartridge, in particular towards theupper surface of the paper filter 5 b. A plurality of small channels isaccordingly provided between the filter 5 b and the lid base 7 b,connecting the lid port 6 b to the whole top surface of thefilter-coffee assembly 4, 5 b.

In alternative embodiments, small fluid channels may be provided on cupportion only, or on lid portion only, or they may not be provided atall. In such cases, a reduced number of ridges is preferably formed oneither the cup base or the lid base, and they protrude towards theinternal volume of the cartridge in order to form an air space betweenthe cup/lid base and the filtering means. An exemplary arrangement ofsuch kind will be explained hereafter with reference to FIG. 11.

Alternatively, in order to provide a fine canalization on at least aportion of the internal surface of the cartridge facing one of the topsurface or the bottom surface of the dose comprising the ground coffeeand the filtering means, a disc of porous material may be arrangedbetween such dose and the cup port or the lid port. Preferably, suchdisc extends throughout the top or the bottom surface of the dose.

Even though not explicitly shown in FIGS. 1-4, the lid port and/or thecup port are preferably plugged by a film, for instance made ofmultilayered plastics, which can be manually removed or can be piercedor torn by the machine during the extraction phase.

Alternatively, the lid port or the cup port may be plugged by anintegrated surface created during the manufacturing of the lid portionor by a rubber plug or seal, to be described thereafter, or the entirecartridge may be kept in a sachet or packaging to be manually openedbefore use. The sachet or packaging may be made of a polylaminatevacuumed or filled with an inert gas under pressure (such as in ModifiedAtmosphere Packaging or MAP techniques).

Either the lid port or the cup port may be alternatively sealed by meansof edible solid substances (e.g. polysaccharides, proteins and lipids)that are air-impermeable and water-soluble or that melt at thetemperature of the inlet water.

The cartridge 1 is preferably made of polypropylene and it ismanufactured using known injection moulding techniques. Anyway, thiscartridge as well as any cartridge according to the invention may bemade of any material such as: other thermoplastic materials, forinstance PET; elastomeric-thermoplastic materials or TPEs, for instance,SANTOPRENE, i.e. a mixture of non interlaced EPDM and polypropylene;thermosetting compositions, for instance, a polyester; rubbers orelastomers, for instance, silicone or MVQ; polylaminate thermoplasticmaterials, for instance a composite sheet made of PE, PET and PVDC;aluminium; other polylaminate materials, for instance, a composite sheetmade of PE, PET and aluminium. The cartridge 1 may also be manufacturedusing other techniques, such as thermoforming.

The main body of an exemplary cartridge such as the one depicted in FIG.1 is, for instance, 30-35 mm high and 35-40 mm wide, and the lid portand the cup port are about 7-8 mm high and 8-10 mm wide. However, theskilled in the art readily understands that the size of the cartridgesaccording to the invention may be different, according to the extractionrequirements and the structure of the beverage extraction machine.

Having now defined the main characteristics of cartridge 1, it can beappreciated that this cartridge eliminates the traditional contaminationof the extraction chamber of a coffee machine, in that the cupport/spout 6 a acts as an outlet for directing the extracted beveragedirectly into an external cup that is then used for drinking. The spout6 a is accordingly shaped so as to fit in known filter holders or so asto outwardly protrude with respect to purpose-built filter holders, thuskeeping perfectly clean the internal surfaces of the filter holder andprevent the extracted beverage exiting the cartridge from contactingsuch surfaces.

Additionally, the small channels directly formed on the internal surfaceof the cup portion allow to eliminate additional fluid director membersfrom the inside of the cartridge and advantageously combine with the cupport so as to define an integrated conveyor for the extracted beverage.At the same time, the small channels allow to keep the internal pressurelevel drop of the cartridge at a substantially lower value between upperzone and lower zone of the coffee cake, so that the full volume ofground coffee is exploited and the resulting beverage has enhancedorganoleptic qualities.

For functional reasons, it is preferable to keep the space between thecoffee cake and base of the cup portion or the lid portion as little aspossible.

Another improvement involved by the particular cartridge of FIG. 1 isthat it is reversible, i.e. it can be inserted also upside-down. Infact, the main body of the cartridge is shaped so as to be substantiallysymmetrical with respect to an virtual plane perpendicular to the waterinjection axis. In particular, the cup port 6 a ant the lid port 6 b aresubstantially identical in shape and size, they are aligned on a samewater injection axis and the height of flange 105 a is substantiallyequal to the height of the cylindrical sidewall 105 b, as illustrated inFIG. 2. Advantageously, a fine canalization is provided on both theinternal surfaces of the cup portion and of the lid portion.

Accordingly, the cartridge 1 can be installed in a filtering receptacleregardless of which port will act as the inlet port and which port willact as the outlet port, thus greatly facilitating the operation ofinserting the cartridge into an extraction machine.

While characteristics have been shown with reference to the exemplaryembodiment of FIGS. 1-4, several alternative embodiments of theinvention can be provided by either suitably combining the fundamentalcharacteristics already illustrated or by adding other features stillfalling within the scope of the invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, a second preferred embodiment of the inventionis illustrated. In particular, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of acartridge 11 which, even though the main body is externally similar tothat depicted in FIG. 1, features internal variants.

While only a sectional view of cartridge 11 is shown in FIG. 5, it isunderstood that this view is taken along a virtual radial plane halvingthe whole actual cartridge, which is not shown in the Figures forclarity reasons. It is clear that the skilled in the art has nodifficulty in picturing the structure of the whole cartridge 11 startingfrom the sectional view of FIG. 5.

The cartridge 11 has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises a cupportion 12 and a lid portion 13. The cup portion 12 comprises a base 17,a sidewall 18 and a rim 19 a that is disposed substantially opposite tothe base 17 and defines an open end of the cup portion 12.

An internal volume is defined by the cup base 17, the sidewall 18 andthe lid portion 13, when the lid portion is mounted on the open end ofthe cup portion 12. A dose of ground coffee is housed in such internalvolume, enclosed by filtering means either in a way similar to thatdepicted in FIG. 2 or as in a tablet or cake of a known kind, as it willbe better described hereafter.

In FIG. 5, both the ground coffee and the filtering means have beenomitted for simplicity, but it is intended that they substantially fillthe internal volume of the cartridge, as it occurs in the embodiment ofFIG. 2.

The cup portion 12 comprises a cup port 16 a, preferably located in acentral region of the cup base 17 and protruding outwardly with respectto the internal volume of the cartridge. The cup port 16 a has asubstantially cylindrical shape and provides for open access to theinternal volume of the cartridge, thus allowing passage of fluids to orfrom the internal volume of the cartridge. To this aim, an opening 113 ais provided on the cup base 17 in correspondence of the cup port 16 a.

The cup base 17 preferably comprises a flange 115 a, aligned with thesidewall 18 and protruding outwardly with respect to the internal volumeof the cartridge.

The lid portion 13 is shaped so as to fit with the open end of the cupportion 12 and comprises a lid base 17 b, from which a substantiallycylindrical sidewall 115 b extends upwardly and slightly outwardly. Thesidewall 115 b ends with an annular edge 19 b that is locatedsubstantially opposite to lid base 17 b and that protrudes outwardlyfrom the sidewall 115 b, in order to fit with and lean on rim 19 a ofthe cup portion 12.

Preferably, the annular edge 19 b has a substantially stepped crosssection, so as to engage with a complementary support located at the rim19 a of the cup portion 12, as depicted in FIG. 5. Alternatively, othercross-sectional shapes of the annular edge 19 b and of the rim 19 a canbe provided, as long as such shapes allow to fix the lid portion on thecup portion.

The lid portion 13 further comprises a normally closed lid port 16 b,preferably located in a central region of the base 17 b and protrudingoutwardly with respect to the internal volume of the cartridge 11. Thewording “normally closed” as intended herein indicates a port which isair-tight sealed before extraction and it is opened either manually by auser or automatically by the beverage extraction machine, for example bypiercing the surface that plugs the port.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the lid port 16 b is plugged by a weakenedsmall surface 14 that is integrated with the lid port 16 b.Alternatively, the lid port may be plugged by a plastic film welded onthe external mouth of the lid port or by a rubber or rubber-like plug orseal, described hereafter.

The internal surface of the lid port 16 b is substantially smooth, butfluid flow hurdles can be alternatively provided as those described withreference to the embodiment of FIG. 2.

The cup portion 12 comprises a cup port 16 a, located on the cup base 17and preferably having a substantially cylindrical shape. In thepreferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the cup port 16 a is located inthe central region of the base 17, protrudes outwardly with respect tothe internal volume of the cartridge 11 and comprises hurdles 114, 117 aand 117 b for breaking direct fluid flow passing through the cup port.

The first hurdle 114 is formed inside the cup port 16 a in the proximityof its output mouth so as to radially cross the internal volume of thecup port, while the second hurdles 117 a and 117 b flange out theinternal surface of the cup port and face each other.

Similarly to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the cup portion 12comprises a plurality of ridges 11 a that are directly formed on theinternal side of the base 17 and protrude towards the internal volume ofthe cartridge. The ridges 11 a define a plurality of small channels 112a, 112 b between the cup base 17 and the filtering means, for conveyingthe extracted beverage to the cup port 16 a.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 5, unlike lid portion 3, afine canalisation is not provided between the lid portion and theassembly consisting of the ground coffee and the filtering means.Instead, sparse ridges 111 b are provided on the bottom side of the lidportion 13, serving the purpose of creating a very small gap between thelid portion and the ground coffee. However, it is clear that as analternative to this arrangement a canalisation may still be provided, asdescribed above with reference to the lid portion 3.

Advantageously, the cartridge 11 comprises valve means, for regulatingthe fluid flow passage through the cup port 16 a. The valve means areparticularly conceived for application to the cup port, but they can beapplied to both the cup port and the lid port of a cartridge accordingto the invention, or to the lid port only, according to the functionalrequirements of the cartridge.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the valve means lean on an annularrecess 15, that is formed around the opening 113 a and cover opening 113a. To this aim, the thickness of the base 17 preferably tapers from thecup port 16 a towards the periphery, to allow the formation of therecess 15.

The valve means preferably comprises a rubber (e.g. silicone rubber),rubber-like, elastomeric or plastic pad or disc having a narrow throughslit or orifice formed therein connecting a top surface to a bottomsurface of the pad. If no axial pressure is applied to the pad, the slitprovides for an air-tight seal, whereas if an axial pressure is applied,such as the pressure of percolation fluids extracted from the groundcoffee, a portion of the pad warps and the slit slightly widens, thusallowing passage of the percolation fluids, i.e. of the beverage.

According to the particular embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the valvemeans comprise a rubber pad or disc 116, leaning on the recess 15 so asto air-tightly close the aperture 113 a of the cup port and acting as aseptum. While the pad 116 is described as simply leaning on the recess15, it may optionally be bonded to such recess or otherwise fixed usingknown techniques.

The pad 116 comprises a top circular surface and a bottom circularsurface and a slit 118 that axially traverses the pad from the centre ofthe top surface to the centre of the bottom surface.

The slit 118 is a pre-pierced one and it is preferably made using a thinneedle. The slit may alternatively be a radial linear or cross-shapedcut or incision, or a plurality of slits may be provided through thepad, as long as these slits, cuts or incisions do not substantiallyallow passage of air inside the cartridge when the cartridge is notunder fluid pressure and allow passage of percolation fluids during thebeverage extraction phase.

In order to provide a support for the filtering means enclosing theground coffee and to convey the extracted beverage to the pad 116, ashim 119 is advantageously mounted on the cup base 17 and upstream ofthe pad 116.

With particular reference to the broken away view of FIG. 7, the shim119 comprises a bottom surface that faces the pad 116 and that is shapedso as to define fluid flow channels 319 between the shim and the pad: tothis aim, the bottom surface of the shim 119 comprises radially orientedridges 219.

The top surface of the shim 119 comprises ribs for supporting thecoffee-filtering means assembly, which are preferably sized so that thethickness of the shim 119 is substantially equal to the height of theridges 111 a of the cup portion 12.

In alternative embodiments, not shown in the Figures, the shim maycomprise through holes for conveying the percolation fluids to therubber pad, or it may be substituted by any other supporting means thatseparate the dose of ground coffee from the rubber pad, such as thosedepicted in FIG. 27 to be described hereinafter.

Yet in another embodiment, the valve means do not comprise a separateshim at all. For instance, a third embodiment of the inventioncomprising such alternative valve means comprises only a pad or disc,made of rubber, rubber-like, elastomeric, or whichever resilientmaterial.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 6, a cartridge 21 according to athird preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a cylindricallyshaped cup portion 22, comprising a base 27, a sidewall 28 and an openend on which a lid portion 23 is engaged so as to define an internalvolume of the cartridge. Inside the cartridge, a dose of ground coffeeand the corresponding filtering means are provided as in the previouslydescribed cartridges, but they are not shown in FIG. 6, for simplicity.

The lid portion 23 comprises a normally closed lid port 26 b and it hassubstantially the same features of the already described lid portion 13.

The cup portion 22 comprises a cup port 26 a, inside which fluid flowhurdles 124, 127 a and 127 b are provided. Moreover, the top surface ofthe base 27 comprises a plurality of ridges 121, which are arc-shapedand distributed throughout the surface of the base 27 substantially asridges 111 a, so as to define concentric and radial small channels whichconverge to an annular recess 25. A circular rubber pad 126 leans on therecess 25 so as to air-tightly plug the aperture 123 a of the cup port26 a. Notwithstanding pad 126 is herein described as simply leaning onrecess 25, it may optionally be bonded to an edge of such recess or beotherwise fixed through known means.

Similarly to pad 116, pad 126 comprises a through slit 128 at itscentre, which slit is normally closed and slightly widens, thus allowingpassage of the percolation fluids, during the beverage extraction phase.

In order to support the dose of ground coffee and the filtering means,the pad 126 preferably comprises ribs 129, which are directly formed onits top surface and shaped so as to allow the passage of fluids directlyderiving from the coffee/filter assembly and from the channels definedby ridges 121.

Pads 116 and 126 have been described as being made of rubber,elastomeric or other flexible materials. The elastic properties of suchmaterials allow a pre-pierced orifice or channel such as the slit 118 orthe slit 128 to act as an air-tight seal, but at the same time allow toreadily respond to pressure stresses directed either towards or from theinternal volume of the cartridge. In other words, such pads act asvalves or baffles.

Therefore, a cartridge comprising such pads requires no means forplugging the cup port—or the lid port, if the pad is applied to the lidport in a way similar to that described above—, such as films orpierceable diaphragms. At the same time, after the extraction phase hasterminated, the sudden fall of internal pressure causes the slit toreturn in the initial rest condition, thus preventing possible internalfluid residuals to drip out of the cartridge.

Beyond its valve-like functioning that protects the cartridge fromnegative environment influences, at the same time permitting degassingof the cartridge and the extraction fluid to drop after extraction, theabove described pad also allows the insertion of liquid inert gas fromthe outside by means of a hollow needle during the packaging phase(MAP), in order to condition the capsule and prepare it for longerstorage periods. The rubber pad then closes automatically by its ownelasticity after the needle for inserting the gas has been pulled out.The same needle may be the one that pierces the pad so as to form theslit referred to above.

At the same time, another important advantage brought by the padsaccording to the invention is the great improvement in the forming andstability of the appreciated cream layer on top of the extractionbeverage, which is usually identified with the Italian term “crema” whenreferred to espresso coffee extraction methods.

The espresso extraction method results in a polyphasic beverageconstituted by a foam layer of small bubbles with dispersed fineparticles that create the typical and particular tiger-tail pattern ontop of an emulsion of microscopic oil droplets in an aqueousmulti-component solution with dispersed gas bubbles and solid particles.

The foam formation is related to surfactants naturally present in coffeeand to a number of phenomena which are triggered by espresso extractionmethods.

The supernatant foam of espresso coffee or crema is an extremelyimportant organoleptic characteristic and represents a mark ofdistinction between espresso coffee and other preparations.

It is well known that the foam characteristics are the signature of aperfect preparation, being any error (for instance in coffee grinding,water temperature, water pressure, percolation time and/or beveragevolume, etc) or any change (coffee blend, roasting, etc.) immediatelydenounced by the colour, the texture and the persistence of espressofoam.

As described above, the valve means according to the preferredembodiment of the invention comprise at least a rubber or rubber-likepad or disc having a through slit whose diameter is very small, e.g. inthe order of 0,1 to 0,5 mm when it is opened. Forcing the extractedcoffee through it has been found to greatly increase the density and thestability of the crema. This effect is a very advantageous one since,through the integration of a means of a relatively light weight and ofsimple nature, it is possible to achieve an important effect thatcharacterizes the quality of an espresso coffee beverage.

Moreover, since the rubber pad for crema formation is integrated withthe cartridge, which is generally a disposable one, it is guaranteedthat the extracted espresso coffee has a layer of crema of the bestquality, contrary to the known espresso coffee machines in which thedevices that enhance the formation of crema are part of the machines,they are used for a great number of extraction processes and maydeteriorate the quality of the extracted coffee over time.

Cartridges according to the invention are not to be limited to thesubstantially cylindrical cartridges described here above. Particularly,the term “cylinder” has to be read in a broad general meaning andindicates the surface traced by any line moving parallel to a fixed axisand intercepting a closed line. For instance, the main body of thecartridge according to particular embodiments of the invention can beeither parallelepiped-shaped or discoid-shaped, too. Furthermore, theterm “substantially cylindrical” also indicates cylindrical cartridgeshaving a slight frustum shape, that is to say, for instance, the slopeof the sidewall of a cartridge according to the invention can deviatefor 1-2 degrees from a perfect cylindrical surface.

A parallelepiped-shaped cartridge, not shown in the Figures, isparticularly a preferred one when small space occupancy is required.

A discoid-shaped cartridge, instead, can be advantageously provided inthe alternative for other reasons, which will be now explained. Anexemplary embodiment of the invention in which the main body of thecartridge is substantially discoid-shaped is depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9.A cartridge 31 of this kind embodies some of the features of the abovecartridges, in particular it comprises a cup portion 32 and a lidportion 33, both of them having substantially the shape of a dish.

The cup portion 32 comprises a base 37, an annular sidewall and aflanged rim 39 a that is directed substantially parallel to the base 37and, similarly, the lid portion 33 comprises a base, a sidewall and aflanged rim 39 b that is shaped so as to engage with the rim 39 a, thusdefining an internal volume of the cartridge. The internal volume of thecartridge is shaped so as to fully house a ground coffee tablet or cake34 of a known kind, such as the tablet called E.S.E.®.

Such known tablet comprises a dose of ground coffee encapsulated withina filter paper sachet, whose peripheral edge is tightly retained by rims39 a and 39 b when the cartridge 31 is in the assembled condition. Rims39 a and 39 b may be reciprocally fixed using any known method such asultrasonic welding, hot element welding, or other welding techniques,gluing or combinations of these with common border forging or deformingmethods.

The cup portion 32 further comprises a substantially cylindrical cupport 36 a protruding outwardly with respect to the internal volume ofthe cartridge 31, which is advantageously provided with inside hurdles137 a and 134 a for breaking direct fluid flows passing through the cupport, which are similar to the above described hurdles 117 a, 117 b,114.

The base 37 comprises a plurality of ridges 131 distributed on itsplanar inner side, which define a plurality of small channels betweenthe tablet 34 and the base 37. The ridges 131 surround a central annularrecess 35, similar to the above described recesses 15 and 25, on which arubber pad 136 leans.

The pad 136 has a through, normally closed slit at its centre andsupporting ribs on its top surface for supporting the tablet 34 andallowing fluid passage there-between. It is seen that the pad 136 issimilar to the above described pad 126.

A lid port 36 b protrudes from the central region of the lid portion 33and comprises reciprocally facing hurdles 137 b on its internal surface.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of cartridge 31 and, as such, showsonly one hurdle 137 b, but it is understood that an identical hurdle ispresent on the opposite side of the internal surface of the lid portthat faces the depicted one. Moreover, the opening from which the lidport 36 b protrudes out is bridged by a fluid flow barrier 134 b, thatis substantially analogous to the above described barrier 104 b.

The lid port 36 b is plugged by a film of aluminium or polylaminateplastics 38, that forms an air-tight seal for the lid port beforeinstalling the cartridge into an espresso coffee machine. The film 38 ispreferably pierceable by the injection needle of the machine, but amanually removable film may be provided in the alternative.

As in the cartridges depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lid portion 33comprises sparse ridges on the surface directed towards the internalvolume, which define a very small gap between the coffee tablet 34 andthe lid portion itself.

The cartridge 31 is particularly advantageous in that it is fullycompatible with existing coffee tablets. The manufacturing process ofthis cartridge is also sped up, since no further filtering means have tobe inserted into the cartridge.

Moreover, it is seen that the cartridge 31, as well as the othercartridges described above, is an all-in-one cartridge, that is to say acartridge in which most of functional features of standard espressocoffee machine, such as filtering, water distribution, crema enhancementand beverage delivery are integrated into the cartridge itself. Theespresso coffee machine functions are mainly to support the cartridgeand to inject water under pressure inside it.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge 41 according to yetanother embodiment of the present invention. This cartridge comprisesmost of the features of cartridge 1, that is to say a cylindrical cupportion 42 whose base 47 comprises a plurality of ridges 141 a and aspout 46 a with fluid flow hurdles 144 and 147, a dose of ground coffee4 and filter paper sheets 5 a and 5 b. An aluminium or multilayeredplastics film 45 plugs the external mouth of the spout 46 a and it ismanually removable.

Differently from the embodiment of cartridge 1, the lid portion 43having a substantially flat shape is provided, comprising a lid port 46b which only slightly protrudes from the plane of the lid portion and anannular edge 49 b that slightly protrudes from the contour of the lidportion.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the inner side of the lid portion 43comprises sparse radial ridges 141 b that slightly protrude towards theinternal volume of the cartridge, so as to create a small gap betweenthe upper filtering means 5 b and the lid portion 43.

Moreover, the lid portion 43 comprises a rubber/rubber-like plug or seal48 that engages the mouth defined by the lid port 46 b. The plug 48 ispreferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) such as EPR or SBSand has a central thinner portion that is pierceable, for instance by aninjection needle or a nozzle of the espresso coffee machine, and has athicker portion surrounding such central portion that grips the mouth ofthe lid port 46 b.

The thicker and central portions of the plug 48 are sized so as tosealingly engage with the tube or nozzle that delivers water to thecartridge. In other words, the plug 48 acts as a radial fluid-tight sealfor the injection tube or nozzle, thus preventing the injected water tosplash out of the lid port 46 b during the beverage extraction phase.

As the extraction phase is terminated and the cartridge 41 is separatedfrom the injection nozzle, the plug 48 elastically returns to a restposition due to its resilient nature and, even though it has beenpierced, it is a good retainer for solid and fluid residuals, which arekept inside the cartridge as soon as it is removed from the machine.

While the plug 48 has been illustrated inside the cartridge 41, it isunderstood that such plug can be applied to any other cartridgeaccording to the invention, such as to the cartridges previouslydescribed.

FIG. 27 depicts a cartridge 81 according to a further embodiment of theinvention. This cartridge comprises features substantially correspondingto those of cartridge 21, that is to say a cylindrical cup portion 82 awhose base 87 a comprises a plurality of ridges 181 and channels 182directly formed thereon and an externally protruding cup port 86 a, alid portion 83 a being fixedly attached to the upper rim of the cupportion 82 a so as to define an internal volume in which a cake ofground coffee and filtering means (not shown) are housed.

The lid portion 83 a comprises a base 87 b, on which sparse ridges areformed similar to ridges 111 b, and comprises a normally closed lid port86 b, which is preferably located in a central region of the base 87 band protrudes outwardly with respect to the internal volume of thecartridge 81. The lid port 86 b is plugged by an aluminium orpolylaminated plastics film.

The internal surface of the lid port 86 b is substantially smooth and across-shaped fluid flow hurdle 89 quarters the opening 183 b from whichthe lid port 86 b protrudes. The hurdle 89 preferably protrudes towardsthe internal volume of the cartridge, so that the filtering means thatcovers the cake of particulate substance is kept at a distance away fromthe base 87 b of the lid portion 83 a.

The diameter of the lid port 86 b is generally wider than the ones ofthe other lid ports described above, in order to completely receive awater injection nozzle without the need of using a needle for accessingthe internal volume of the cartridge. The internal diameter of the lidport is preferably at least 5 mm wide, but such diameter may be evenwider, e.g. it may be substantially equal to the diameter of the lidbase 87 b.

The ridges 181 of base 87 a surround a central annular recess 85 aformed around the opening 183 a from which the cup port 86 a protrudes.The ridges that closely surround the opening 183 a comprise projections184 that radially extend towards the center of the opening 183 a andthat are as thick as the ridges 181 themselves. The projections 184 actboth as a support for the cake of particulate substance and thefiltering means and as a fluid flow hurdle for breaking direct fluidflow.

The cartridge 81 further comprises a rubber pad 186, which is installedbetween the projections 184 and the annular recess 85 a and whichcomprises a central through slit. The rubber pad 186 is a valve means asintended above.

The cup port 86 a advantageously comprises a fluid flow hurdle 187,which is a separate piece that is inserted into the cup port and istightly engaged with the internal surface of the cup port. Providing aseparate fluid flow hurdle and eliminating the hurdles directly formedon the internal surface of a port is an advantageous arrangement that isparticularly suited for the so-called sequential moulding manufacturingtechniques.

The “separate” hurdle 187 preferably comprises a small plastic hollowtube 188 whose open ends are closed with a fluid permissive filtermaterial, for instance a film of plastic sieve material or open mazedtissue/paper. Alternatively, internal barriers can be formed on theinternal surface of the tube 188, which are substantially similar tobarriers 114, 117 a and 117 b described above.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 27, the tube 188 comprises an uppersieve film 185 b and a bottom sieve film 185 a. In order to fix thehurdle 187 to the inner surface of cup port 86 a, the tube 188 comprisesan annular rib 189 a on its outer sidewall for snap-fitting with acorresponding annular recess 189 b formed around the inner surface ofthe cup port 86 a. Obviously, many other arrangements for fixing aseparate hurdle means to the cup port or the lid port are clearly in thereach of the skilled in the art.

With reference to FIGS. 12-15, a cartridge or capsule 51 according to afurther embodiment of the invention comprises a cup portion 52 having aclosed base 57 and a peripheral flange 59 a on its mouth. Asubstantially flat lid portion 53 is fixedly attached to the cup portion52, for instance by axially hot welding the peripheral edge 59 b of thelid portion 53 to the flange 59 a. Obviously, any other known joiningtechnique can be provided in the alternative for fixedly attaching thelid portion to the cup portion, such as ultrasonic welding, bonding orcombinations of these with forging or deforming techniques.

The lid portion 53 comprises a normally closed lid port 56 b having anM-like cross section and further comprises bulges 151 a and 151 b, forcreating a small gap between the lid portion and a dose of ground coffee54 filling the capsule 51 and sandwiched between filtering means, suchas filter paper sheets.

The base 57 and the dose of ground coffee form a substantially conicalhollow volume in which a tappet 159 is housed. The tappet is hereindefined as a piercing member of a substantially hard material such asplastics having a sort of spike 156 protruding out from a supportingportion 157 of the tappet.

The tappet 159 is arranged inside the above mentioned conical hollowvolume so that the tappet 159 normally holds on the cup port 56 a bymeans of the spike 156, as shown in FIG. 13.

In the preferred embodiment, the supporting portion 157 of the tappet isa disc extending throughout the bottom surface of the dose of groundcoffee, which disc comprises a plurality of through holes 55 evenlydistributed on its top surface. Furthermore, the bottom side of tappet159 preferably comprises radial ribs 154, 158.

In the preferred embodiment depicted in FIG. 15, the tappet 156comprises surface grooves 155 running along a longitudinal directionfrom the tip end of the spike towards the bottom surface of the disc157, so that the spike 156 resembles the tip end of a Philipsscrewdriver. Obviously, this shape is only optional and otheralternative shapes can be provided for the spike 156, as long as theseshapes allow the tappet to pierce the base 57 of the capsule.

At the beginning of the beverage extraction phase, when the filterholder is inserted into the bayonet holder, a mechanical pressure isapplied to the base 57, which tends to warp towards the tappet. As aconsequence, the cup port 56 a is pierced by the spike 156 and an outletfor the extracted beverage is thus automatically created. A gap forconveying the extracted beverage to the outside is maintained by theribs 154, 158 and by the grooves 155.

The lid port 56 b is instead pierced by the injection nozzle of theextraction machine and the injected water is spread over the top surfaceof the ground coffee by means of the surface shape of the lid portion53.

The capsule 51 is preferably manufactured by thermoforming, startingfrom a film or sheet of polylaminate thermoplastic or thermoset plasticmaterials, for instance a multilayer sheet comprising PE, PET and PVDC.With this manufacturing technique, the resulting capsule is very lightand handy and uses a modest amount of packaging materials, too.

It is thus seen that even capsule 51 integrates most of features ofstandard extraction chambers and, as well as the other cartridgesaccording to the invention, it ensures an air-tight preservation of theground coffee.

Moreover, during the extraction phase, a spout is automatically formedat the cup port 56 a, by means of which the extracted beverage isdelivered directly to an external drinking cup or glass withoutcontaminating the cartridge or filter holder.

Various embodiments of the cartridge according to the invention havebeen described hereinabove. According to a second aspect of theinvention, an extraction assembly for application to standard espressocoffee machine or to another machine which can pump hot water or otherinfusion fluids under pressure for producing beverages will be nowdescribed in detail.

With reference to FIGS. 16-18, an extraction assembly 60 according to apreferred embodiment of the invention comprises a support connectable toan espresso coffee machine, which is preferably composed of a connectormember 62, for connecting the extraction assembly to the water injectiontube of the beverage extraction machine, and a bayonet holder 63.

The connector member 62 has a base and a cylindrical sidewall raisingfrom the base and ending with a flanged rim that serves for mounting thesupport on the extraction machine (not shown), for instance by usingscrews. The base of the connector member 62 comprises a protruding inletport 65 connectable to the water outlet of the extraction machine and,on the opposite side of the base, a circular guiding wall 259, which isdescribed hereinafter.

The bayonet holder 63 has a substantially cylindrical shape andcomprises an upper open end into which the cylindrical sidewall ofconnector member 62 fits. Preferably, the bayonet holder 63 is fixed tothe connector member 62 by means of the same screws used for mountingthe connector member to the extraction machine. Obviously, the bayonetholder and the connector member may be reciprocally fixed in any otherknown way; for instance, the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewallof the connector member and the upper inner surface of the cylindricalsidewall of the bayonet holder may be threaded. Alternatively, theconnector member and the bayonet holder may be built as a single piece.

The bayonet holder 63 further comprises a bottom open end on whichguides 263 of a known kind are provided for bayonet fitting with acartridge holder 64, which is provided with a grip handle 61.

The cartridge holder 64 comprises a substantially cylindrical body thatis internally shaped so as to completely house the cartridge 21. Inparticular, it comprises a cylindrical sidewall that is complementary tothe sidewall 28 of the cartridge.

Moreover, the base of the cartridge holder 64 comprises an annulargroove 261, into which the flange 125 a of the cartridge fits slidingly,and a bottom 250, which is located inside the cylindrical body of thecartridge holder and comprises an opening 267 at its central region.

The depth of the annular groove 261 is substantially equal to the heightof the flange 125 a, so that when cartridge 21 is inserted into thecartridge holder 64, the surface of the base 27 leans almost completelyagainst the bottom 250 and the cup port 26 a protrudes from the opening267.

Therefore, the internal shape of the cartridge holder 64 substantiallycorresponds to the external shape of the cartridge 21, thus assuring atight fit of the cartridge within the holder.

The extraction assembly 60 further comprises an injection nozzleassembly 265 a, 265 b that is firmly mounted on the bottom open end ofthe inlet 65 facing the cartridge holder, for instance by a threadfitting. Alternatively, the nozzle assembly and the water inlet port 65may be made in a single piece.

With reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, the nozzle assembly comprises ahollow nozzle body 265 a and a piercing member or needle 265 b fixedlymounted to the inner surface of the nozzle body. More in detail, thenozzle body is substantially tubular and comprises two open ends 251 and254.

The open end 254 is located at the bottom end of the nozzle body and itis wide enough to receive a projecting lid port of a cartridge accordingto the invention, for instance lid port 26 b.

The open end 251 is defined at the upper end of the nozzle body by thewall 253, which is shaped so as to tightly fit with the inner surface ofthe bottom open end of the inlet 65. The external surface of the upperwall 253 and the internal surface of the inlet 65 may be threaded so asto secure the nozzle body to the connector member 62. Alternativearrangements for coupling the nozzle assembly to the inlet of theconnector member may be also provided, as long as a fluid tight fit isguaranteed between them.

The external surface of the nozzle body 265 a comprises a radiallyprotruding stepped portion 257 for limiting the axial displacement of acartridge ejector 269, as described below. The internal surface ofnozzle body 265 a, instead, comprises an annular projection 252 thatextends inwardly and which is preferably located in a middle region ofthe internal surface of the nozzle body.

The needle 265 b is axially inserted and secured in the opening definedby annular projection 252. In order to allow passage of fluid from theupper open end 251 to the bottom open end 254, through openings 256 areprovided in the annular projection 252.

The internal surface of the nozzle body 265 a further comprises anannular recess 255, which is located in a bottom region of the sameinternal surface, preferably around the bottom open end 254. Such recesshouses an O-ring 266, which acts as a means for providing a radialfluid-tight seal between the nozzle assembly and the inlet port 26 b ofthe cartridge 21 during the beverage extraction phase.

A great advantage brought about by the O-ring 266 is that it preventsthe injected water from contaminating any internal component or surfaceof the extraction assembly 60 and from lapping the outer surface of thecartridge, which has to be touched and handled by the user. Accordingly,superior hygienic conditions are guaranteed and the extraction machinecan be used hundreds of times without having to clean the components ofthe extraction assembly, such as the cartridge holder 64 and the support62, 63.

Such a contamination-free arrangement also advantageously combines withthe integration of an outlet spout in the cartridge according to theinvention. The same beverage extraction machine and the same extractionassembly can be consecutively used for cartridges containing differentedible substances, such as coffee, chocolate, tea or herbal infusions,soups, other hot milk beverages, without incorporating the maindisadvantage of common systems that contaminate and negatively influencethe extraction results of consecutive beverage extractions.

Moreover, the resilient nature of the O-ring 266 allows to use variouscartridges having inlet ports of different radial sizes, as long asthese radial sized do not exceed the average diameter of the bottomopening 254 of the nozzle assembly.

In order to enhance the practicality of the extraction assembly, acartridge ejector 269 is mounted in the annular space defined by theguiding wall 259 and the portion of the nozzle body 265 a protruding outof the water inlet 65. The cartridge ejector 269 is substantiallytoroidal and is preferably shaped so as to fit into the annular spacedefined by the guiding wall 259, the base of connector member 62, thelid portion of the cartridge and the portion of nozzle body 265 aprotruding out of the water inlet 65 during the extraction phase.

The cartridge ejector 269 comprises a plurality of springs 268 locatedin respective hollow housings having an open end from which the springscan extend. The springs 268 abut against the base of the connectormember 62 and against respective abutment surfaces provided inside thehollow housings of the cartridge ejector.

When the cartridge holder 64 is fixed to the bayonet holder 63, theejector 269 is pushed towards the base of the connector member 62 andthe springs 268 are compressed. As it is seen in FIG. 18, in thisposition the lid port 26 b is pierced by the needle 265 b and water canbe injected inside the cartridge as described above.

As soon as the cartridge holder is removed, the ejector 269 keeps thecartridge 21 inside the cartridge holder 64, as it is seen from FIG. 20.In order to stop the ejector's travel when the cartridge holder isreleased, an annular projection 258 is provided around the internalsurface of the toroidal body of the cartridge ejector, which abutsagainst the stepped portion 257 of the nozzle body 265 a when theejector slides downwardly towards the cartridge holder.

While a particular embodiment of an extraction assembly for an espressocoffee machine has been described with reference to a cartridge of thekind shown in FIG. 6, it is understood that any equivalent extractionassembly can be provided that is particularly suited for any cartridgeaccording to the invention.

For instance, with reference to FIG. 19, a particular extractionassembly 70 suited for a discoidal cartridge 71 according to theinvention can be designed, according to the above teachings.

The discoidal cartridge 71 has not been described in detail so far, butit is immediately derivable by combining features of embodiments of thecartridge according to the invention which have already been describedin detail. This combination is hereby presented to show that elementsfrom different embodiments may be combined to obtain further embodimentsthat clearly fall under the same inventive concept and which are clearlyin the reach of the skilled in the art.

The cartridge 71 incorporates features of cartridges 11, 31 and 41. Indetail, it has a general discoidal shape and houses a coffee tablet of aknown kind, as cartridge 31. The cup portion of cartridge 71 is similarto the cup portion 37, but comprises a shim 119 and a rubber valve orpad 116 of the kind used in cartridge 11; the pad 116 is depicted in adeformed condition, which is reached during the extraction phase.Differently form cartridge 31, the lid port only slightly protrudes withrespect to the lid portion and it is closed by a rubber plug or seal 78,identical to the plug 48 used in cartridge 41.

Accordingly, the extraction assembly 70 comprises a support connectableto an espresso coffee machine, which is preferably composed of aconnector member 72, for connecting the extraction assembly to the waterinjection tube of the beverage extraction machine, and a bayonet holder73.

The connector member 72 comprises a water inlet port 75, for connectionto a water injection port of a beverage extraction machine, and aannular wall 359 protruding towards the internal volume of the bayonetholder 73 when this is mounted on the connector member.

The bayonet holder 73 has a substantially cylindrical shape andcomprises an upper open end into which the annular wall 359 of theconnector member 72 fits. Preferably, the bayonet holder 73 is fixed tothe connector member 72 by means of the same screws used for mountingthe connector member to the extraction machine. Obviously, the bayonetholder and the connector member may be reciprocally fixed in any otherknown way; for instance, the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewallof the connector member and the upper inner surface of the cylindricalsidewall of the bayonet holder may be threaded. Alternatively, theconnector member and the bayonet holder may be built in a single piece.

The bayonet holder 73 further comprises a bottom open end on whichguides 263 of a known kind are provided for bayonet fitting with acartridge holder 74.

The cartridge holder 74 comprises a substantially flattened body whoseinternal shape is complementary to the cup portion of cartridge 71.Moreover, the base of the cartridge holder 74 comprises an opening 377at its central region through which a cup port 76 a of cartridge 71 isarranged.

When the cartridge holder 74 is firmly secured to the bayonet holder 73,the peripheral flat rim 79 of cartridge 71 is tightly kept between theannular wall 359 and the rim of cartridge holder 74.

The extraction assembly further comprises a nozzle 275 that is securedto the inlet port 75 and that protrudes towards the cartridge holder.

Referring to FIG. 23, the nozzle 275 is a substantially cylindricalhollow piece having an inner axial cavity 359 for receiving water fromthe water inlet 75 and having a needle or piercing member 358 integratedtherein. The cavity 359 extends as far as the needle, which is axiallyhollow and comprises radial through openings 356 for supplying water ina substantially radial direction.

An annular recess 355 is further provided in the nozzle 275, inparticular around the needle 358. The recess 355 is shaped so as toreceive the thicker peripheral portion of the plug 78 as soon as thecartridge holder 74 is secured to the bayonet holder 73. As it is notedfrom FIG. 19, in this position the plug 78 is pierced by the needle 358,so that water can be injected inside the cartridge, and the plug 78provides for a fluid-tight seal between the nozzle 275 and the lid portof cartridge 71.

Therefore, the plug 78 acts as a means for providing radial fluid-tightseal between the water inlet port of the extraction assembly and thecartridge, thus preventing the injected water from lapping the externalsurface of the cartridge.

Advantageously, the extraction assembly 70 comprises a cartridge ejector369 that is housed in the annular space defined by the wall 359 and thenozzle 275 and that is similar to the ejector 269.

When the cartridge holder 74 is fixed to the bayonet holder 73, theejector 369 is pushed upwardly towards the connector member 72 by meansof springs 368, which are accordingly compressed. Instead, when thecartridge holder 74 is removed from the bayonet holder 73, the ejector269 keeps the cartridge 71 inside the cartridge holder 74. In order tostop the ejector's travel when the cartridge holder is released, anannular projection 378 is provided around the internal surface of thetoroidal body of the cartridge ejector 369, which abuts against thestepped portion 357 of the nozzle body 275 when the ejector slidesdownwards towards the cartridge holder.

With reference to FIGS. 24-26, an extraction assembly 80 according toyet another embodiment of the invention comprises a support connectableto an espresso coffee machine, which is preferably composed of aconnector member 82, for connecting the extraction assembly to the waterinjection tube of the beverage extraction machine, and a bayonet holder83.

The connector member 82 has a base and a cylindrical sidewall raisingfrom the base and ending with a flanged rim that serves for mounting thesupport on the extraction machine (not shown), for instance by usingscrews. The base of the connector member 82 comprises a protruding inletport 85 connectable to the water outlet of the extraction machine and,on the opposite side of the base, a circular guiding wall 459. It isseen that the connector member 82 is substantially similar to thepreviously described connector member 62.

The bayonet holder 83 has a substantially cylindrical shape andcomprises an upper open end into which the cylindrical sidewall ofconnector member 82 fits. Preferably, the bayonet holder 83 is fixed tothe connector member 82 by means of the same screws used for mountingthe connector member to the extraction machine. Obviously, the bayonetholder and the connector member may be reciprocally fixed in any otherknown way. For instance, the outer surface of the cylindrical sidewallof the connector member and the upper inner surface of the cylindricalsidewall of the bayonet holder may be threaded. Alternatively, theconnector member and the bayonet holder may be built as a single piece.

Moreover, the bayonet holder 83 comprises a bottom open end on whichguides of a known kind are provided for bayonet fitting with a cartridgeholder 84.

In order to deliver water inside the cartridge 51, a nozzle 285 issecured to the inlet port 85 and protrudes towards the cartridge holder84.

Referring to FIG. 26, the nozzle 285 is a substantially cylindricalhollow piece in which an inner axial cavity 459 is formed for receivingwater from the water inlet 85. A hollow needle or piercing member 458 isintegrated with the nozzle 285 so that the cavity 459 extends as far asthe needle. Advantageously, the needle 458 comprises radial throughopenings 456 for supplying water in a substantially radial direction.

An annular recess 455 is further provided in the nozzle 285, inparticular around the needle 458, for housing an O-ring 466, which actsas a means for providing a radial fluid-tight seal between the nozzleassembly and the inlet port 56 b of the cartridge 51 during the beverageextraction phase.

Advantageously, the extraction assembly 80 comprises a cartridge ejector469 that is housed in the annular space defined by the wall 459 and thenozzle 285 and that is similar to the ejector 269.

The ejector 469 preferably comprises a peripheral annular rib 470 on itsbottom side, which is shaped so as to engage the peripheral bulge 151 aof the lid portion of cartridge 51 when the cartridge holder is securedto the bayonet holder.

The cartridge holder 84 has a substantially cylindrical body that isinternally shaped so as to house capsule 51. In particular, it comprisesan inner sidewall that is shaped substantially complementary to thesidewall of the capsule and that ends with an annular shoulder 86 in anupper region and with an opening 477 in a bottom region of the capsuleholder.

The base of the cartridge holder 84 has not the same slope of the base57 of capsule 51. Preferably, the base region of the capsule holder 84slopes substantially parallel to the ribs 154 and 158 of the tappet 159.Accordingly, in an initial condition in which the cartridge holder isnot completely secured to the bayonet holder, the capsule 51 supportsitself on the contour of the opening 477 only in correspondence of theregion around the cup port 56 a and the flanges 59 a, 59 b are in araised position with respect to the annular shoulder 86 of the cartridgeholder 84.

As soon as the cartridge holder 84 is manually rotated for securing itto the bayonet holder 83, the lid portion of the capsule 51 firstlyabuts against the bottom surface of the ejector 469 and then abutsagainst the annular wall 459. Accordingly, a pressure is applied to thebase 57 that causes the spike 156 to pierce the cup port 56 a and thebase 57 to buckle against the bottom side of tappet 159.

In the final position, that is to say in the position shown in FIG. 25in which the capsule holder 84 is fully secured to the bayonet holder 83and the system is ready for the beverage extraction phase, the cup port56 a is fully opened and the extracted beverage can be supplied directlyin an external cup.

FIG. 25 also shows that, in the beverage extraction position, the nozzle285 has pierced the inlet port 56 b of capsule 51. The M-like shape ofthe inlet port 56 b advantageously provides for an easy engagement withthe needle portion of the nozzle 285.

Advantageously, as soon as the capsule holder 84 is removed from thebayonet holder, the ejector 469 keeps cartridge 51 inside the cartridgeholder 84. In order to stop the ejector's travel when the cartridgeholder is released, an annular projection 478 is provided around theinternal surface of the toroidal body of the cartridge ejector, whichstops against an abutment 57 of the nozzle body 285 when the ejectorslides downwards.

The above extraction assemblies comprise an injection nozzle that isprovided with a needle for breaking the plug or seal of the upper portof the cartridge and for accessing the internal volume of the cartridge.Moreover, the upper ports of the above cartridges are sized so as to beinsertable into a corresponding female nozzle. However, it is possibleto provide an opposite coupling between the injection nozzle and theupper port of a cartridge without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. For instance, with reference to FIG. 28, anextraction assembly according to another embodiment of the inventioncomprises a support connectable to an espresso coffee machine, which ispreferably composed of a connector member 582, for connecting theextraction assembly to the water injection tube of the beverageextraction machine, and a bayonet holder 583.

The connector member 582 has a base and a cylindrical sidewall raisingfrom the base and ending with a flanged rim that serves for mounting thesupport on the extraction machine (not shown), for instance by usingscrews. The base of the connector member 582 comprises a protrudinginlet port 585 connectable to the water outlet of the extraction machineand, on the opposite side of the base, a circular guiding wall 559.

The bayonet holder 583 has a substantially cylindrical shape andcomprises an upper open end into which the connector member 582 fits.Preferably, the bayonet holder 583 is fixed to the connector member 582by means of the same screws used for mounting the connector member tothe extraction machine, as in the embodiments described here above.Obviously, the bayonet holder and the connector member may bereciprocally fixed in any other known way; for instance, the outersurface of the cylindrical sidewall of the connector member and theupper inner surface of the cylindrical sidewall of the bayonet holdermay be threaded. Alternatively, the connector member and the bayonetholder may be built as a single piece.

The bayonet holder 583 further comprises a bottom open end on whichguides of a known kind are provided for bayonet fitting with a cartridgeholder 584.

The cartridge holder 584 comprises a substantially cylindrical body thatis internally shaped so as to completely house the above describedcartridge 81. In particular, it comprises a cylindrical inner sidewallthat is complementary to the sidewall of the cartridge.

Moreover, the base of the cartridge holder 584 comprises an annulargroove 561 into which the lower flange of the cartridge 81 fitsslidingly, and a bottom 550 that is located inside the cylindrical bodyof the cartridge holder and that comprises an opening 567 at its centralregion. The annular groove 561 and the bottom 550 are shaped so thatwhen the cartridge 81 is inserted into the cartridge holder 584, thesurface of its base 87 a leans almost completely against the bottom 550and the cup port 86 a protrudes from the opening 567.

The extraction assembly of FIG. 28 further comprises an injection nozzle575 that is firmly mounted on the bottom open end of the inlet 585facing the cartridge holder, for instance by a thread fitting.Alternatively, the nozzle assembly and the water inlet port 585 may bemade in a single piece.

The nozzle 575 comprises a hollow cylindrical body with opposite openends and comprises a flange 557 in a middle region thereof.

A hollow tip end 558 of a substantially cylindrical shape protrudesaxially from the flange 557 of the nozzle towards the cartridge holderand it is shaped so as to have an external diameter that is generallysmaller than the inner diameter of the lid port 86 b. Accordingly, thetip end 558 can be completely inserted into the lid port when thecartridge holder 584 is fixedly mounted on the bayonet holder 583,thanks to the appositely wide lid port 56 b.

The tip end 558 is substantially wider than a (common) injection needle,but it is small enough to be insertable as a male part into a cartridgeport such as the lid port 86 b. Advantageously, the tip end 558comprises an annular recess formed around its external surface, forhousing a sealing means such as an O-ring 566.

Advantageously, the extraction assembly comprises a toroidal cartridgeejector 569, which is housed in the annular space defined by the wall559 of the connector member and the nozzle 575 and which is similar tothe other cartridge ejectors described here above.

The axial travel of the ejector 569 is limited by means of commonsnap-brackets 578, which extend upwardly and which are slidinglyinserted into an appropriate annular recess 579 surrounding the nozzle575. The limit stop for the snap-brackets 578 is defined by the flange557 of the nozzle 575.

Advantageously, the toroidal cartridge ejector 569 comprises an innerconcentric sidewall 568 that is sized so as to define an annular gapbetween the tip end 558 of the injection nozzle, which gap is completelyfilled with the sidewall of the lid port 86 b when the cartridge 81 ismounted into the extraction assembly. Therefore, in the particulararrangement depicted in FIG. 28, the cartridge ejector acts also as aretaining wall against a possible expansion of the lid port during theextraction phase.

The extraction assembly of FIG. 28 benefits of a simple arrangement thateliminates piercing needles and, at the same time, guarantees acontamination-free coupling between the cartridge, the extractionchamber and the water injection chamber. In fact, regardless of whetherthe lid port is closed or not before installing it into the extractionassembly, the injection nozzle acts as a male part and the lid port as afemale part, and the injection nozzle can pierce the upper seal, if any,of the lid port without the need of an appropriate needle.

The injection portion 575, 585 of the extraction assembly is keptinsulated from the extraction chamber defined by the cartridge by meansof an external O-ring, and a very high number of consecutive extractionprocesses of the same or different beverages can be carried out withoutcleaning or servicing in any way the extraction assembly.

Moreover, the external O-ring 566 of the injection nozzle can be easilyreplaced or serviced without having to access internal parts of theinjection nozzle itself.

It has thus been shown that the present invention fulfils the proposedaim and objects. Clearly, several modifications to either the cartridgesand the extraction assemblies according to the invention will beapparent to and can be readily made by the skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scopeof the claims shall not be limited by the illustrations or the preferredembodiments given in the description in the form of examples, but ratherthe claims shall encompass all of the features of patentable noveltythat reside in the present invention, including all the features thatwould be treated as equivalents by the skilled in the art.

The disclosures in European Patent Applications04007293.6-04007294.4-04007295.1-04007296.9 from which this applicationclaims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

1-42. (canceled)
 43. A cartridge for extracting a beverage from aparticulate substance contained therein by means of water underpressure, the cartridge comprising: a main body comprising a cup portionand a lid portion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and arim opposed to said base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to saidrim of the cup portion so as to define an internal volume of saidcartridge, the internal volume of said cartridge housing the particulatesubstance comprised within filtering means for retaining saidparticulate substance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough,said lid portion comprising a lid port defining a first passage forpercolation fluid substances, the base of said cup portion comprising acup port defining a second passage for percolation fluid substances,wherein said base comprises a plurality of ridges directly formedthereon and protruding towards the internal volume of the cartridge, soas to support said filtering means and said particulate substance and todefine a fine canalization between said filtering means and said cupport.
 44. The cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said cup portprotrudes from the base of said cup portion outwardly with respect tosaid internal volume, so as to convey the extracted beverage into anexternal cup without contaminating any component of a beverageextraction machine
 45. The cartridge according to claim 43, wherein atleast one of said cup port or said lid port comprises fluid flow hurdlesformed on its internal surface or mounted therein, for breaking directfluid flow passing through said cup port or said lid port, respectively.46. The cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said lid port protrudesfrom said lid portion and has a substantially cylindrical shape.
 47. Thecartridge according to claim 43, wherein said lid portion comprises aplurality of ridges directly formed on its inner side and protrudingtowards the internal volume of the cartridge, so as to support saidfiltering means and said particulate substance and to define a finecanalization between said filtering means and said lid port.
 48. Thecartridge according to claim 43, wherein said lid portion comprisessparse ribs directly formed on its inner side and protruding towards theinternal volume of the cartridge, so as to create a small gap betweensaid lid portion and said filtering means.
 49. The cartridge accordingto claim 43, wherein said cup port comprises valve means resilientlyopenable under pressure of said percolation fluid substances so as toallow passage of said percolation fluid substances through said cupport.
 50. The cartridge according to claim 49, wherein said valve meanscomprise a pad or disc of a resilient material selected from the groupcomprising rubbers, elastomers, flexible plastics, said pad comprising athrough slit that is normally closed, for insulating the internal volumeof said cartridge from external environment and for retaining fluidresiduals inside said internal volume when said beverage extraction hasbeen terminated.
 51. The cartridge according to claim 50, wherein saidpad or disc comprises surface ribs for supporting said particulatesubstance and said filtering means and for allowing fluid passagetherebetween.
 52. The cartridge according to claim 50, wherein saidvalve means comprise a shim mounted on said pad or disc, for supportingsaid particulate substance and said filtering means and for allowingfluid passage towards said slit.
 53. The cartridge according to claim49, wherein said valve means, in their opened condition, allow passageof said percolation fluid substances through at least a narrow orifice,for increasing formation and stability of crema in the beverageextracted from said cartridge when said particulate substance comprisesground coffee.
 54. The cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said lidport comprises a rubber seal having a central pierceable portion and aperipheral thicker portion for providing a radial fluid-tight seal whencartridge is installed into a beverage extraction machine.
 55. Thecartridge according to claim 43, wherein the lid port and the cup portare substantially aligned on a water injection axis, said main bodybeing shaped so as to be substantially symmetrical with respect to aplane perpendicular to said water injection axis, so that said cartridgecan be installed on a beverage extraction machine regardless of whichport will operate as an inlet port for receiving water and regardless ofwhich port will operate as an outlet port for ejecting the extractedbeverage.
 56. The cartridge according to claim 43, wherein said mainbody has a substantially cylindrical shape and the cup base comprises aflange axially aligned with the sidewall of the cartridge and protrudingoutwardly with respect to the internal volume of the cartridge, so as tosurround said cup port.
 57. The cartridge according to claim 43, whereinit is made of any material selected from the following: thermoplastics,aluminum, rubber, polylaminate plastics, thermosetting compositions, andany combination thereof.
 58. The cartridge according to claim 43,wherein said particulate substance is selected from the groupcomprising: ground coffee, roasted ground coffee, instant coffee, tea,powdered chocolate, powdered milk, instant based brews, soups.
 59. Thecartridge according to claim 43, wherein the lid port or the cup portare of the female type, so as to be able to receive therein a waterinjection nozzle of a beverage extraction machine during a beverageextraction phase.
 60. The cartridge according to claim 43, wherein saidridges are arc-shaped and arranged along concentric arcs so as to definea plurality of radial and circumferential channels directly on said cupbase.
 61. The cartridge according to claim 60, wherein said channels aresubstantially 1 mm wide.
 62. A cartridge for extracting a beverage froma particulate substance contained therein by means of water underpressure, the cartridge comprising: a main body comprising a cup portionand a lid portion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and arim opposed to said base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to saidrim of the cup portion so as to define an internal volume of saidcartridge, the internal volume of said cartridge housing the particulatesubstance comprised within filtering means for retaining saidparticulate substance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough,said lid portion comprising a lid port defining a first passage forpercolation fluid substances, the base of said cup portion comprising acup port defining a second passage for percolation fluid substances,further comprising a disc of porous material arranged between saidfiltering means and the base of said cup portion, so as to support saidfiltering means and said particulate substance and to define a finecanalization between said filtering means and said cup port.
 63. Acartridge, particularly for espresso coffee machines, for extracting abeverage from a particulate substance contained therein by means ofwater under pressure, the cartridge comprising: a main body comprising acup portion and a lid portion, the cup portion comprising a base, asidewall and a rim opposed to said base, the lid portion being fixedlyattached to said rim of the cup portion so as to define an internalvolume of said cartridge, the internal volume of said cartridge housingthe particulate substance comprised within filtering means for retainingsaid particulate substance and for percolating fluid substancestherethrough, said lid portion comprising a lid port defining a firstpassage for percolation fluid substances, the base of said cup portioncomprising a cup port defining a second passage for percolation fluidsubstances, wherein said internal volume comprises valve means mountedon said cup port which are resiliently openable under pressure of saidpercolation fluid substances during a beverage extraction phase, so asto allow passage of said percolation fluid substances through said cupport during said beverage extraction phase.
 64. The cartridge of claim63, wherein said valve means are normally closed when no pressure ofsaid percolation fluid substances is applied, so as to insulate theinternal volume of said cartridge from external environment when saidcartridge is not installed into a beverage extraction machine.
 65. Thecartridge of claim 63, wherein said valve means are resiliently closableas soon as said pressure of percolation fluid substances drops due to atermination of said beverage extraction phase, so as to retain fluidresiduals inside said internal volume.
 66. The cartridge according toclaim 63, wherein said valve means comprise a pad or disc of a materialselected from the group comprising rubbers, elastomers, flexibleplastics, said pad or disc comprising a through slit that is normallyclosed, for insulating the internal volume of said cartridge fromexternal environment and for retaining fluid residuals inside saidinternal volume when said beverage extraction has been terminated. 67.The cartridge according to claim 66, wherein said pad or disc comprisessurface ribs for allowing fluid passage therebetween and for supportingsaid particulate substance and said filtering means.
 68. The cartridgeaccording to claim 66, wherein said valve means comprise a shim mountedon said pad, for supporting said particulate substance and saidfiltering means and for allowing fluid passage towards said slit. 69.The cartridge according to claim 63, wherein said valve means, in theiropened condition, allow passage of said percolation fluid substancesthrough at least a narrow orifice, for increasing formation andstability of crema in the beverage extracted from said cartridge whensaid particulate substance comprises ground coffee.
 70. The cartridgeaccording to claim 63, wherein said base comprises a plurality of ridgesdirectly formed thereon and protruding towards the internal volume ofthe cartridge, so as to support said filtering means and saidparticulate substance and to define a fine canalization for putting in afluid communication said filtering means and said particulate substancewith said cup port.
 71. The cartridge according to claim 70, whereinsaid ridges are arc-shaped and arranged along concentric arcs so as todefine a plurality of radial and circumferential channels directly onsaid cup base.
 72. The cartridge according to claim 71, wherein saidchannels are substantially 1 mm wide.
 73. A cartridge, particularly forespresso coffee machines, for extracting a beverage from a particulatesubstance contained therein by means of water under pressure, thecartridge comprising: a main body comprising a cup portion and a lidportion, the cup portion comprising a base, a sidewall and a rim opposedto said base, the lid portion being fixedly attached to said rim of thecup portion so as to define an internal volume of said cartridge, theinternal volume of said cartridge housing the particulate substancecomprised within filtering means for retaining said particulatesubstance and for percolating fluid substances therethrough, said lidportion comprising a normally closed lid port defining a first passagefor percolation fluid substances when it is opened, further comprising atappet arranged inside said internal volume so as to pierce said basewhen a pressure is applied to said base towards said internal volume,thus opening a normally closed cup port.
 74. The cartridge according toclaim 73, wherein the base of said cup portion forms a substantiallyconical hollow volume with said particulate substance and said filteringmeans, said conical hollow volume housing said tappet that holds on saidnormally closed cup port.
 75. The cartridge according to claim 73,wherein said tappet comprises a disc-like supporting portion on whichsaid particulate substance and said filtering means lean and a spikeprotruding out from the supporting portion on its side opposite to saidparticulate substance and said filtering means, so that said tappetholds on said cup port when it is closed and said spike pierces said cupport when said pressure is applied.
 76. The cartridge according to claim75, wherein said supporting portion comprises a plurality of throughholes evenly distributed on its top surface.
 77. The cartridge accordingto claim 75, wherein the bottom side of said tappet comprises radialribs protruding towards the base of said cup portion, for keeping a gapbetween said base and said tappet should said base buckle due to saidpressure.
 78. The cartridge according to claim 73, wherein said mainbody has a substantially cylindrical shape with a conically protrudingbase.
 79. The cartridge according to claim 73, wherein it is made of anymaterial selected from the following: thermoplastics, aluminum, rubber,polylaminate plastics, thermosetting compositions, and any combinationthereof.
 80. The cartridge according to claim 73, wherein saidparticulate substance is selected from the group comprising: groundcoffee, roasted ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, powdered chocolate,powdered milk, instant based brews or soups.
 81. A cartridge forextracting a beverage from a particulate substance contained therein bymeans of water under pressure, the cartridge comprising: a main bodycomprising a cup portion and a lid portion, the cup portion comprising abase, a sidewall and a rim opposed to said base, the lid portion beingfixedly attached to said rim of the cup portion so as to define aninternal volume of said cartridge, the internal volume of said cartridgehousing the particulate substance comprised within filtering means forretaining said particulate substance and for percolating fluidsubstances therethrough, said lid portion comprising a lid port defininga first passage for percolation fluid substances, the base of said cupportion comprising a cup port defining a second passage for percolationfluid substances, the lid port and the cup port being substantiallyaligned on a water injection axis, wherein said main body is shaped soas to be substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicularto said water injection axis, so that the cartridge is usable regardlessof which port will operate as an inlet port for receiving water andregardless of which port will operate as an outlet port for ejecting theextracted beverage.
 82. An extraction assembly to be mounted on beverageextraction machines, characterized in that it comprises: a supportconnectable to a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine; and acartridge holder securable to said support for holding a cartridge forextracting a beverage from a particulate substance comprising: a mainbody comprising a cup portion and a lid portion, the cup portioncomprising a base, a sidewall and a rim opposed to said base, the lidportion being fixedly attached to said rim of the cup portion so as todefine an internal volume of said cartridge, the internal volume of saidcartridge housing the particulate substance comprised within filteringmeans for retaining said particulate substance and for percolating fluidsubstances therethrough, said lid portion comprising a normally closedlid port defining a first passage for percolation fluid substances whenit is opened, a tappet being arranged inside said internal volume so asto pierce said base when a pressure is applied to said base towards saidinternal volume, thus opening a normally closed cup port, said cartridgeholder being internally shaped so as to apply said pressure to the baseof said cartridge towards said internal volume when the cartridge holderis secured to said support.
 83. An extraction assembly to be mounted onbeverage extraction machines, further comprising a support connectableto a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine and a cartridgeholder securable to said support for holding a cartridge according toclaim
 43. 84. The extraction assembly of claim 83, wherein saidcartridge holder has an internal shape substantially corresponding tothe external shape of said cartridge so that said cartridge can tightlyfit within said holder.
 85. An extraction assembly to be mounted onbeverage extraction machines, further comprising a support connectableto a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine and a cartridgeholder securable to said support for holding a cartridge according toclaim
 62. 86. The extraction assembly of claim 85, wherein saidcartridge holder has an internal shape substantially corresponding tothe external shape of said cartridge so that said cartridge can tightlyfit within said holder.
 87. An extraction assembly to be mounted onbeverage extraction machines, further comprising a support connectableto a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine and a cartridgeholder securable to said support for holding a cartridge according toclaim
 63. 88. The extraction assembly of claim 87, wherein saidcartridge holder has an internal shape substantially corresponding tothe external shape of said cartridge so that said cartridge can tightlyfit within said holder.
 89. An extraction assembly to be mounted onbeverage extraction machines, further comprising a support connectableto a water outlet of a beverage extraction machine and a cartridgeholder securable to said support for holding a cartridge according toclaim
 73. 90. The extraction assembly of claim 89, wherein saidcartridge holder has an internal shape substantially corresponding tothe external shape of said cartridge so that said cartridge can tightlyfit within said holder.